Raised bed veggie garden (Christmas: Home Depot, gated, organic)

[1dobiedude]

Well I am tired of the veggies at the stores and the farmer's markets here so I am thinking about putting in some plants. I am researching what will grow and what will be a waste of time. I understand the growing season is backwards to what I am use to but like I said I am investigating what will work. I will look for plants/seeds that are specifically for our climate so they will survive.
I am trying to use heritage seeds and plants and stay mostly organic which may be a problem.
So far I have found what people call "everglades tomatoes" which are a little smaller than cherry varieties and bear fruit all year for several years, which will be ok thru the summer until I can have regular ones.

So here is my question does anyone put in a garden? Can you give me any advise/or share any knowledge. I know there will be pests to deal with but what are the other things I need to know.

I looked on line but did not find a lot of info there. Does anyone know any web sites that will help?

As I said earlier during the summer I will stay with climate specific varieties but what have you done in the fall, winter, spring?

Any help will be appreciated.

thanks

Clint

[the searchers]

Clint, Take a look at this, it might give you some info. I pulled it off my wife's Bookmark section. It is not much but it is a start.

http://charlotte.ifas.ufl.edu/public...BedGardens.pdf

[double6's]

Clint, I'm in the same boat as you, just a little ahead of ya..I've been living down here not quite a year..just started in earnest to do some gardening..so far I've built two raised bed gardens..the first out of corrugated aluminum panels and treated lumber bought at Home Depot..about 25" high by 2' by 8'..too much work and probably doesn't need to be so tall..the second and much easier to do is simply 2' by 10's standing edge to edge on each other, about 18"s tall..again 2' by 8'..then I went down to Ft. Myers pulling my 5 by 10 utility trailer and bought one yard of compost ($13 I think) and one yard of veggie blend ($51) and that filled up both of my raised beds..compost on the bottom, veggie blend on the top..so far I've planted tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, zucchini and a few herbs..too early to tell how it will grow..here's the link for the dirt..

https://www.mwhorticulturerecycling.com/home.html

another link for ya..

Guide to Florida Landscape Plants for the southern half of the Sunshine State

Bud

[TamRE]

Two of our neighbors have vegetable gardens. Next door has two raised beds with an overhang watering system and they have a fenced yard which sometimes the bunnies get in. Our other neighbor has a large raised bed with chicken wire type fence around it. And I do have another neighbor that planted potatoes just as a row in her lawn. I am waiting to see how that turns out.

They grow tomatoes, zucchini, carrots, lettuce, collard greens, green peppers, hot peppers, squash, green beans. Different things grow different times of the year. Most plants can't handle the summer months, but winter months are a good time to grow vegetables.

[Restrain]

Definitely winter, plants in by January. Beefsteak tomatoes grow well, onion, etc. A strawberry planter is good, should have them in already. Plan on irrigating.

[1dobiedude]

Thanks for the replies everyone.
My computer crashed the afternoon I posted this and I just got it back.
As soon as I can I will post my thanks. thanks everyone

[twosheds]

I bet the local gov will want a tomato permit. LMAO

[RobinNYC]

Originally Posted by Restrain

Definitely winter, plants in by January. Beefsteak tomatoes grow well, onion, etc. A strawberry planter is good, should have them in already. Plan on irrigating.

Hi.....you mean that when I come down right after Christmas I can plant a few things and they will grow while I am there for a couple of months? That would be GREAT!

Here in NY I have a garden and it's only seasonal. I try to bring my herbs in around late September early October and they usually do ok until December. But ALL of my vegetables die late September. So it would be great to have some home grown vegetables and herbs while I am down there in the winter.

[1dobiedude]

Robin if you go on youtube and look for gardening in SWFL you find videos. Some from a guy in Cali that has come to the area and helped people set up some raised beds. I am still having problems with getting my new computer. lol

[RobinNYC]

Originally Posted by 1dobiedude

Robin if you go on youtube and look for gardening in SWFL you find videos. Some from a guy in Cali that has come to the area and helped people set up some raised beds. I am still having problems with getting my new computer. lol

Wow.....thank you so much! I have done raised bed gardening before. This so exciting to me to be able to have FRESH home grown herbs and vegetables in the winter. Thank you again!